The Mud Crabs are a competitive unit at full strength, Maurirere said. However, that usually only occurs when they’re playing at home. Tomorrow’s sudden death encounter will be at Tuncurry.

Last week the Mud Crabs were again short-staffed for the last competition match against the Ratz at Taree. Despite this they turned in a valiant effort before the Manning River combination run out 57-7 winners. The Ratz will be strong favourites to advance to the final after tomorrow's minor semi, but Maurirere hopes it isn’t at the expense of a depleted opponent.

“I hope they have their full side available – we want to beat their best team,’’ Maurirere said.

“But you can never tell with the Mud Crabs.’’

Maurirere will make a late check on Blake Howard’s fitness with the big forward troubled by a shoulder injury last week. However, he made it through training this week and Maurirere is confident Howard will be right.

“We took him off last week, but it was more of a precautionary thing to make sure he would be right for Saturday,’’ Maurirere explained.

The Ratz will be without top forwards Sam Hartnett (injured) and Dave Rees (suspended) but neither will return this year.

“We should have the best side we can put on the field,’’ Maurirere said.

“We’ll have Izaak Solomon and Jack Chapman back and they’ll give us penetration in the backs.’’

He said the Ratz go into the finals series in pretty good form and he’s confident of moving through to the final to play either Wallamba or Forster-Tuncurry, depending on the result of the major semi-final.

“I thought we played well in patches last week,’’ he said.

However, he added the Ratz can’t afford to be complacent.

“If they’re at full strength, they’ll be tough,’’ Maurirere warned.